Why Baz Luhrman's 'Australia' Needs to Be Oscar-Worthy

I guess we won't be seeing the first female President of the United States in 2009, but we could at least see the first female cinematographer nominated for an Academy Award (in the cinematography category, that is). In the 80 years of the Oscars there hasn't been one female nominee for Best Cinematography. Shocking, isn't it? But fortunately there's a chance for next year's ceremony: Mandy Walker, who shot Baz Luhrman's war epic Australia, could be a shoo-in for one of the five nomination slots if the film is Oscar-worthy in general.

Other female DPs are recognized in the post, as well: Ellen Kuras (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind); Lisa Rinzler (Pollock); and Maryse Alberti (Velvet Goldmine). Interestingly enough, all three of these women do a lot of great work on documentary films, which tend not to be recognized in the cinematography Oscar category. But if somehow Australia is a failure and is therefore completely ignored by the Academy (yes, it's possible it could be nominated for that award while not being recognized elsewhere), it's good knowing that there are indeed other talented females that could also be contenders one day.

Other Oscar categories that desperately need female nominees include Best Sound, which In Contention notes has also never had a woman in the running, and Best Director, which has only recognized three female nominees (Sofia Coppola, Jane Campion and Lina Wertmüller).